VITAMIN C: A NATURAL IMMUNE BOOSTER

Catherine Eddie writes about the protective, strengthening power of vitamin C – in its natural form and reproduced as dietary supplements for those who need a little extra care

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin – it dissolves in water. Because the body can’t produce it and can only store a small amount at a time, we need to source vitamin C on a daily basis. This isn’t too hard to do because there are plenty of food sources of vitamin C and lots of vitamin C supplements to choose from. But why do we need it in the first place?

Vitamin C is important for many reasons; it significantly promotes immune health, collagen synthesis and wound healing. It’s also an important antioxidant.

Vitamin C deficiency is a well-known cause of scurvy, which is normally associated with sailors being at sea for a long time. Scurvy is relatively rare in this day and age, but a poor diet, smoking, alcoholism and anorexia can lower one’s vitamin C levels and lead to symptoms, such as fatigue, dry or bumpy skin, slow-to-heal wounds, bleeding gums, painful joints, hair loss, and, of course, poor immunity.

IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOST

One of the main reasons people take vitamin C supplements is to boost the immune system. Vitamin C is well documented for aiding in the prevention of colds and other infections, and one way it does this is by encouraging the production of white blood cells that help protect the body against infection.

Not so well-known is the role it plays in helping the body absorb iron, which is needed to transport oxygen around the body, keeping cells healthy and fighting fit.

Vitamin C is also important for the

production of collagen, the main component of connective tissue needed for healthy joints and mobility. Collagen is also important for healthy skin, especially in the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. Vitamin C also helps keep skin healthy by protecting it from oxidative damage.

Since vitamin C is needed for collagen production, low levels of vitamin C can slow the rate of tissue formation, which can cause wounds to heal more slowly.

Research has shown that people with chronic, non-healing leg ulcers are significantly more likely to be deficient in vitamin C. Slow wound healing is one of the more advanced signs of vitamin C deficiency and typically not seen unless you’ve been

deficient for some time.

SOURCES OF VITAMIN C

The good news is that there are lots of dietary sources of vitamin C. From brassicas to berries, plenty of foods are naturally rich in vitamin C.

Strawberries especially are an excellent source of vitamin C, pipping the average orange to the post when it comes to total vitamin C content.

Other good food sources are acerola cherries, blackcurrants, kiwis, red peppers, brussel sprouts, broccoli and kale. All of these foods contain good amounts of natural vitamin C.

VITAMIN C IS IMPORTANT FOR MANY REASONS; IT SIGNIFICANTLY PROMOTES IMMUNE HEALTH, COLLAGEN SYNTHESIS AND WOUND HEALING

SUPPLEMENTS

But what about supplements? There are of course plenty of vitamin C supplements to choose from, although do try to source your vitamin C from food first – your body recognises vitamins in their natural food state best.

Many vitamin C products are made synthetically and the body has a hard time recognising and absorbing synthetic vitamin C.

If you are looking to top up, a natural vitamin C supplement can help. A. Vogel’s Nature-c provides naturally occurring vitamin C sourced from real fruits, including acerola, gooseberries and blackcurrants, in a chewable tablet form. It’s perfect for gently supporting your immune system and great if you’re not keen on swallowing tablets.

An equally natural Nature-c for Kids is also available for children as young as four – just in case the curly kale isn’t hitting the spot.

For further information on staying well this winter, ask in store at your local pharmacy, or ring them. There are also plenty of vitamin C products available for home delivery from websites, and of course nothing beats fresh food.

BEAUTY: Many vitamin C supplements work to improve skin texture.

Vitamin C is a rich nutrient that helps hair achieve its ultimate shine.